In his third year, the Bendigo artist said he is tackling a topical issue for his artwork.
“I’m hoping it isn’t controversial but it’s likely it will be,” he said.
Somewhat of a mural festival enthusiast, competing around Australia and in New Zealand in the past year, Steve has a soft spot for Rochester.
“It’s is so close to home and there’s a real community spirit, considering all the problems they’ve had with the factory closing and so much unemployment they’ve bounced back really well, especially through art with the silos and some really great murals in town at the moment,” he said.
“The community itself and the volunteers are brilliant, I’ve never been to one with so many volunteers and people trying to jump up and down to help you out.”
Steve has won awards at mural festivals in Jamestown in South Australia and Katikati in New Zealand, but while he hasn’t walked away with the honours from Rochester he keeps coming back for more.
“It’s something I really enjoy doing, it’s great to interact with the community,” he said.
“I find Rochester has the bigger crowds because of the highway going to Echuca, so I spend most of the time talking and stay back late at night and paint when it’s quiet.
“You can’t help but talk with so many people stopping, it’s like the halfway mark between Bendigo and Echuca which is really good; even Tasmania, which is the big mural festival, doesn’t get as many visitors — Rochester’s really huge.”
Like a lot of the entrants, Steve took on the challenge of combining all three aspects of the theme, Rochester: past, present, or future.
You can see a preview of his artwork at the upcoming Meet the Artists night on Friday, February 21 at Rochester Lawn Tennis Club.
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